Fabric treatment apparatus

ABSTRACT

A fabric treatment apparatus including a vessel having a perforated beam for fabric and a fluid system for directing fluid into the beam and generally radially outwardly through the beam having fabric wound thereon. The fluid system is provided with an arrangement for by-passing a prescribed amount of fluid, if desired, to maintain the fluid pressure within the beam at a prescribed level, regardless of the type of fabric and tightness of the fabric wound upon the beam. An expansion tank is provided within the vessel for receiving the overflow of fluid from the vessel due to expansion of the fluid when heated.

I United States Patent [191 West et al. Nov. 4, 1975 FABRIC TREATMENT APPARATUS 2,036,256 4/1936 Clifford 68/189 x 75 l t King 1 men ors g ii: I Primary Examiner-Harvey C. Homsby Burlingtor; Assistant ExaminerPhilip R. Coe

[73] Assignee: Burlington Engineering-Sales Co., [57 ST CT Graham A fabric treatment apparatus including a vessel having [22] Filed: Mar. 13, 1973 a perforated beam for fabric and a fluid system for directing fluid into the beam and generally radially out- [211 Appl' 3406g6 wardly through the beam having fabric wound thereon. The fluid system is provided with an arrange- [52] US. Cl 68/15; 68/189 ment for by-passing a prescribed amount of fluid, if [51] Int. Cl. D06B 5/22 desired, to maintain the fluid pressure within the beam [58] lfi'eld of Search 68/189, 5 C, 7, 175, 184, at a prescribed level, regardless of the type of fabric 68/15, 208 and tightness of the fabric wound upon the beam. An

expansion tank is provided within the vessel for re- {56} References Cited ceiving the overflow of fluid from the vessel due to ex- UNITED STATES PATENTS pansion of the fluid when heated.

1,265,332 5/1918 Holt et al 68/189 12 Claims 8 Drawing Figures US. Patent Nov. 4, 1975 Sheet 1 of 4 FIG! US. Patent Nov. 4, 1975 Sheet 2 of4 3,916,653

US. Patent Nov. 4, 1975 Sheet 3 of4 3,916,653

U3. Patsm Nov. 4, 1975 Sheet4 of4 FABRIC TREATMENT APPARATUS BACKGROUND, BRIEF SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THEINVENTION This invention relates generally tofabric treating apparatus and more particularly to a new and improved machine for the fluid treatment of fabrics wound upon a beam.

Many textile materials are subjected to various fluid treatments for bleaching, dyeing, etc., by winding them upon perforated, hollow beams, placing them into a vessel, passing fluids into the hollow perforated beams and radially outwardly through the fabrics wound upon the beams, and collecting the fluids at the bottom of the vessel for recirculation. The fabrics may be placed into an atmospheric type vessel or a vessel adapted to treat fabrics at elevated pressures and temperatures, such as disclosed, for example, in US. Pat. No. 2,792,702.

The flow of fluid through the beam and radially outwardly through the fabric wound thereon varies considerably depending upon the fabric. For example, if the fabric is tightly wound upon the beam and is closely knit or woven, the flow through the fabric is reduced or restricted and the fluid pressure within the beam increases. If the fabric is of an open type and relatively loosely wound upon the beam, the fluid flow through the beam and wound fabric will be high and the pressure low. A pump having a prescribed capacity directs flow into the fabric beam. If the fluid pressure is too high, the wound fabric may telescope upon the beam,

orthe fluid may exit axially of the beam between the layers of fabric rather than being directed radially through the layers of fabric. Such action restricts the performance of the pump. A pump having a capacity of 4,000 gallons per minute may be restricted to 2,000 gallons per minute due to the high pressures Within the beam which result from the particular fabric wound thereon. Therefore, uniformity of fabric treatment has been extremely difficult to achieve. When flow is reduced and the pump is restricted, wider temperature differentials occur within the vessel. Most dyes used today must be maintained at a constant temperature in order to strike evenly. Furthermore, modern disperse dyes are insoluble in aqueous solutions. Therefore, the dye must move quickly relative to the fabric. The chance of this happening is decreased with the restricted pump flow.

The difierence in the pressure inside the fa 'iic beam and the pressure within the vessel outside of the wound beam should be maintained within a desired, selected range while maintaining a constant pump flow. However, this is not possible on conventional machines, particularly in view of the various types of fabrics treated and the fact that conventional machines throttle the pump flow to maintain a differential beam pressure drop.

The present invention relates to an improved machine for treating or dyeing fabrics including a vessel and pumping system, such as disclosed, for example, in US. Pat. No. 2,792,702, and further including a novel fluid by-pass system and expansion tank arrangement. The by-pass system permits the pressure differential within the beam interior and within the vessel outwardly of the beam to be maintained substantially constant within a selected range. A valve within the by-pass system, which may be controlled by sensors, partially or completely opens or closes to maintain the pressure differential at a selected pounds per square inch. If the fluid pressure within the beam increases beyond a selected value, the by-pass valve opens such that excess flow over that required can by-pass the beam and circulate into the vessel exteriorly of the fabric roll. Excess flow follows a generally circumferential path within the vessel around the exterior of the roll of fabric wound upon the beam. This permits maintenance of a desired high flow rate resulting in even temperature, which promotes more uniform dyeing, and results in a high kinetic energy of the fluid.

A false partition is provided within the vessel and serves as an expansion tank. Normally the vessel is filled with the cooled fluid and when heated, it expands. Overflow into the expansion tank is circulated back into the fluid system thereby preventing the fluid from becoming stagnant or lost.

One of the primary objects of the invention is the provision of a new and improved fabric treatment apparatus.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a fabric treatment apparatus whereby the total fluid flow through and around the fabric can be set at a selected rate and maintained at all times. A further object of the-invention is the provision of a fabric dyeing apparatus wherein the fabric has more opportunity for receiving the dye molecule which results in a more rapid and even dyeing.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a dyeing apparatus which presents the entire fabric roll outer periphery to dye liquor, prevents build up of chemicals and heavy dye spots on exterior portions of the fabric roll, provides a high level of kinetic energy in the dye liquor, and results in even temperatures within the vessel.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a dyeing apparatus including a fluid expansion system for circulating fluid expansion overflow back into the vessel.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent when considered in view of the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic, side elevational view of one embodiment of the invention with the vessel closure means being in the open position and with a beam, having fabric wound thereon, being supported by the apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a schematic, top plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with the closure means sealing the vessel;

FIG. 3 is a schematic, elevational view of the apparatus illustrating the side opposite to that shown by FIG.

FIG. 4 is a schematic end elevational view of the apparatus illustrating the end portion opposite to the closure means;

FIG. 5 is a schematic elevational view of the apparatus taken of the vessel closure means end and illustrating the flow of fluids within the vessel;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the vessel, fluid system, and valve control means;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, plan view of the perforated beam having fabric wound thereon; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic, fragmentary, side elevational view of the apparatus illustrating the vessel having the expansion tank.

4 and directly to the blend chamber 56. Thus heated fluid Referring to the drawing, the illustrated embodiment of the invention includes a generally horizontally disposed vessel 10, a displaceable vessel closure means 12 having a closure member 13, a beam 14, and a fluid system 16.

The vessel 10, preferably cylindrical, is provided with a closed end portion 18 and an open end, the open end normally being closed by the quick sealing closure member 13. The closure member 13 is supported by a trolley 20, which is displaceable along spaced; parallel tracks 22 between an opened position, as-shown by FIG. 1, and a vessel sealing position, as shown by FIGS. 2 and 3. A ring member 24 is rotatably mounted adjacentthe open end of the vessel 10, and upon actuation of a plurality of fluid cylinders 26, FIG'. 1, the ring is r" tated to seal the vessel by the closure member 13. The closure member 13 is provided with a plurality of lugs 28 around the periphery which cooperate with substantially similar lugs, not shown, on the inner pe-' riphery of the displaceable ring 24. The double action fluid cylinders 26 rotate the ring 24 relative to the vessel l0 and closure member 13 to seal or open the vessel.

A cradle assembly 30,'whichmaybe of the type disclosed in US PatfNo; 2,792,702, for-supporting the beam 14 has one end-extending into-the vessel 10 and the other end supported by the trolley and the closure member 13. The cradle assembly 30 includes longitudinally extending members 32 and vertically extending supports 34 forreceiving and supporting the fabric beam 14. The supports 34 are positioned and aligned to support the beam 14 substantially co-axially with the vessel 10. The inner ends of the cradle assembly longitudinally extending members 32 may be sup-. ported upon rollers which -are displaceable along tracks, as disclosed in US. Pat. No. 2,792,7Q2, when the cradle assembly is moved from the FIG. 1 position, wherein a fabric beam 14 may be removed from or placed upon the vertical supports 30, and a position within the sealed vessel 10.

The fabric beam 14, which may be of a type such as disclosed in US. Pat. Nos. 2,701,957 and 2,792,702, preferably is of perforated, stainless steel construction and may be approximately 18 inches in diameter. When the beam is properly positioned within the sealed vessel 10, hollow beam 14 has the outer end sealed by a plate 36 which is mounted upon the closure member 13 and is adapted to be displaced relative thereto by a threaded shaft arrangement, such as disclosed in US. Pat. No. 2,707,383, or by other suitable means such as a fluid cylinder, etc. The opposite end of the hollow beam 14 cooperates with a fluid conduit 38 which extends axially through the closed end of the vessel. The end of the inlet conduit 38 is provided with a flange 41, FIG. 8, suitably gasketed to receive and seal the end of the fabric beam 14.

The fluid system 16 includes a pump 40 driven by a motor 42, a pump inlet conduit 44 and an outlet conduit 46, a heat exchanger 48, a throttle butterfly valve 50, and the inlet conduit 38. A conduit 52 connects the outlet conduit 46 with the heat exchanger 48 which directs a prescribed flow through the heat exchanger 48 and from the heat exchanger the heated fluid is directed through a cond uit 54 to a blend chamber 56. The fluid that does not flow through the heat exchanger is directed through a trim valve 58 and the conduit 46 enters the blend chamberthrough conduit 54 and the non-heated fluid' ente'rs'the chamber through conduit 46. Bafflesc60,xFIG-..-'4,- may be provided within the blend chamber to facilitate mixing 'of the heated and non-heated fluids. A prescribed flow ,of the mixed fluids exits 'fr orin e blend chamber 56, passes through a throttle butterfly 'valve 50'fand enters the vessel 10 through the inlet conduit 38L'Sirice the inlet conduit is connected to the hollow beam 14 which has the outer end vsealed by a plate 36, the fluid must pass radially through the perforated beam -l4"ahd into the vessel 10.

The fluid drains from the] vessel and back to the pump 40 through conduit Fluid that does not pass through the throttle valve f'50 a nd conduit 38 exits from the blend chamber 5 6 by means of conduit 62 which has a by-pass butterfly valve'64'therein. The outer end of the conduit62, which may be generally parallel with the vessel 10, is sealed by a 'plate 66. A plurality of spaced, fluid outlets are provided in the conduit 62, and through pipes "68 thefluid is directed through openings into the vessel at the outer periphery thereof, as shown'most clearly by FIG. 5. A deflector 70, FIG. 5, consisting of one or more curved plates, is positioned within the vessel 10 adjacent the pipes 68 and openings for directing fluid, as shown by the arrows X, around the outer periphery of thefabric roll 72. The fluid flow around the outer periphery of the roll tends to direct the fluid radiating through the fabric roll also around the outer periphery thereof, as shown by the arrows Y. Such flow of the by-pass fluid, as shown by the X, presents the'entire outer peripheryof the r'ollidf fabric to they treatment fluid, rather'than just one spot or area. The by-pass flow also maintainsa high kinetic energy of the fluid and keeps the temperature substantially constant ln addition, the high flow prevents build up of chemicals and heavy dye spots onthe'exterior of thebeam 14, or fabric roll 72. i

"A sensor S-1,FIG. 6, senses the fluid pressure P-l within the beam 14 whilea sensor S-2 determines the pressure P-2 within the vessel 10 outside of the beam 14. 'The pressure differential between P-1 and P-2 should remain substantially constant within a desired, selected range. The novel by-pass system of the present invention permits the pressure difi'erential to remain substantially constant while maintaining a constant total pump flow. The'valve 50 partially or completely opens and closes to maintain the total pump flow. The sensors S-1 and 8-2 determine the pressures P-1 and P -Z'and control thev al ve50 accordingly, in a conventional manner, by a control means 65, shown schemati- 'cally inFIG. 6, to maintainthe' beam pressure differential substantially constant. Sensors S and 5., measure the differential pressure across the pump 40 and feed this signal to a control means 67 which controls valve 64. By controlling valve 64'the excess flow, over that required to maintain the beam pressure differential constant and atthe same time maintain a preset constant differential pressure across the pump which results in a constant total pump flow, (can by-pass the beam 14 and' circul'ate back into the vessel 10'through the pipes'68 and exteriorly of the fabric roll 72. The bypass system permits setting and maintaining total flow at all times.

A suction distributor 74'is'provided within the bottorn'of the vessel 10 to prevent vortexing of the treatment fluid ordy e liquor as it exits from the vessel befoi elbeing' directed through conduit 44 and back to the Normally, a vessel is initially, essentially filled with a cool liquid or dye solution. When the fluid is heated it expands, and-means must be provided to take care of the expansion. It has been the conventional practice to provide an expansion tank, separate and apart from the.

dyeing vessel, to receive the fluid overflow from the vessel when the fluid is heated and expands.

In the present invention, an expansion tank has been incorporated into the head space of the vessel 10. The water-tight expansion .tank is defined by a partition 80, FIG. 8, and the head end of the vessel 10, and utilizes volume or space within one end of the vessel 10 not otherwise required for fabric dyeing operations.

When the vessel 10 is substantially filled with fluid and the fluid heated, the overflow resulting from the fluid expansion is directed through conduit 82 .into the expansion tank, as shown by the arrows, FIG. 8. Fluid overflow within the expansion tank normally is circulated back into the fluid system and vessel 10, rather than becoming stagnant or lost as in conventional dyeing operations, by means of conduits 84 and 86. Conduit 86, which directs the overflow to the conduit 44 and subsequently pump 40, is provided with an overflow valve 88. Altemately, fluids within the overflow tank may be drained therefrom by closing valve 88 and opening valve 90.

In the operation of the apparatus, the vessel and expansion tanks are empty and the vessel closure means 12 and cradle assembly 30 are in the outward positions, as shown by FIG. 1. A beam 14 wound with fabric 72 is positioned upon the cradle assembly 30 with the beam 14 aligned co-axially with the vessel 10. The closure ,means 12 may be moved into engagement with the vessel 10, and the fluid cylinders 26 actuated to pressure seal the vessel with the beam 14 and fabric roll 72 inside. Closing of the vessel 10 seals one end of the beam 14 with the inlet conduit 38 while the other end of the beam is sealed by a plate 36 which is mounted upon the closure member 13. The beam 14 is then sealed such that liquid entering through conduit 38 is directed into the beam and must pass through the fabric roll 72.

Upon filling of the vessel compartment having the beam and fabric therein with a cool fluid, such as a dye solution, bleaching solution, water, etc., the fluid may be pumped through the system and heated to the desired temperature. The pump 40 directs a portion of the fluid through a heat exchanger 48 and subsequently to the blend chamber 56, while the remainder of the fluid is pumped directly to the blend chamber. A prescribed amount of fluid is directed, through conduit 38, into the beam 14 and generally radially outwardly through the fabric roll 72. The remainder of the fluid from the blend chamber 56 is directed through conduits 62 and pipes 68 into the vessel 10 at the outer periphery thereof and generally circumferentially around the fabric roll 72. The amount of fluid flowing from the blend chamber 56 and into the beam 14 and fabric roll, and the fluid flow directed into the vessel through the conduits 62 and pipes 68 are controlled interdependently by valves 64 and 50. The opening and closing of the valve 50 is regulated in a conventional manner by sensors S-1 and S-2 which sense the pressure P-l within the beam 14 and the pressure P-2 within the vessel 10 6 outwardly of the beam 14, respectively. The pressure differential is maintained substantially constant within a selected range by partially or completely opening or closing the valve 50.

As the heated fluid expands, the excess fluid is directed through conduit 82 into the expansion tank where the excess fluid may be recirculated back through the fluid system or may be withdrawn through the valve 90.

Upon completion of the fabric treating operation, the treatment fluid may be opened to drain from the vessel 10 as fresh water or other fluids are directed back into the vessel to wash and rinse the fabric. Upon draining of all fluids from the vessel, the vessel is opened by moving the closure member 12 and cradle assembly 30 outwardly to the positions as shown by FIG. 1. The beam 14 and treated fabric roll 22 are lifted from the cradle assembly and may be replaced with another beam having fabric to be treated wound thereon.

We claim:

1. A fabric treatment apparatus comprising a vessel having a closed end and an open end, displaceable closure means for said open end for sealing said vessel and closure means in fluid tight relationship, a hollow, perforated beam, having fabric wound thereon, positioned within said vessel, means for supporting said fabric beam, a fluid pumping system including an inlet conduit extending into said vessel and communicating with said beam for forcing fluid simultaneously into said hollow beam and generally radially outwardly through said perforated beam and fabric wound thereon and into said vessel around said beam and fabric to penetrate said fabric, said fluid pumping system including a bypass system regulating the .fluid flow through said inlet conduit and into said beam for controlling the fluid pressure within the beam having fabric wound thereon.

2. A fabric treatment apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said by-pass system includes a conduit means for directing fluid flow, other than said fluid flow through said inlet conduit and said beam, into said vessel.

3. A fabric treatment apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said by-pass system includes a valve for controlling the fluid flow into said vessel through said inlet conduit and said beam, and the fluid flow into said vessel through said by-pass conduit means.

4. A fabric treatment apparatus as recited in claim 3, and further including means for heating a prescribed amount of the total fluid circulating through said fluid pumping system, and means for blending said heated fluid with said non-heated fluid prior to the fluids entering said vessel.

5. A fabric treatment apparatus as recited in claim 3, said by-pass system including means for directing the fluid flow into said vessel through said by-pass conduit means in a generally circumferential path around said beam and said fabric wound thereon to present the entire roll of fabric to the fluid while maintaining a high kinetic energy of the fluid.

6. A fabric treatment apparatus as recited in claim 3, and further including a first means for sensing the fluid pressure within said beam having fabric wound thereon and a secondmeans for sensing the fluid pressure within said vessel exteriorly of said beam and fabric roll.

7. A fabric treatment apparatus as recited in claim 6, and further including control means responsive to said first and second sensing means for regulating said valve to maintain the difference in pressure substantially constant.

8. A fabric treatment apparatus as recited in claim 1, said vessel comprising a first compartment for receiving said beam having fabric wound thereon, said first compartment being substantially filled with the fluid, and a second compartment for receiving fluid overflow from said first compartment when the fluid in said first compartment is heated and expands.

9. A fabric treatment apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein a partition within said vessel adjacent the end of said vessel remote to said closure means divides said vessel into said first and said second compartments.

10. A fabric treatment apparatus as recited in claim 8, and further including means for selectively circulating the fluid within said second, overflow compartment back into said fluid system and subsequently said vessel.

11. A fabric treatment apparatus for fabric rolled on a hollow perforated beam comprising a vessel having a closed end and an open end, displaceable closure means for said open end for sealing said vessel and closure means in fluid tight relationship, means within said vessel defining first and second fluid tight compartments, means within said first compartment for supporting said fabric rolled beam therein, said first compartment normally being substantially filled with a fluid, a fluid pumping system including an inlet conduit extending into said vessel and communicating with said beam for forcing fluid simultaneously into said hollow beam and generally radially outwardly through said perforated beam and fabric wound thereon and into said vessel around said beam and fabric to penetrate said fabric, said fluid pumping system circulating fluid through said vessel first compartment, means for heating said circulating fluid, means interconnecting said first and said second compartments for directing heated, expanding fluid from said first compartment into said second compartment.

12. A fabric treating apparatus as recited in claim 11, and further including means for selectively circulating fluid within said second compartment back into said fluid pumping system and subsequently said vessel first compartment. 

1. A fabric treatment apparatus comprising a vessel having a closed end and an open end, displaceable closure means for said open end for sealing said vessel and closure means in fluid tight relationship, a hollow, perforated beam, having fabric wound thereon, positioned within said vessel, means for supporting said fabric beam, a fluid pumping system including an inlet conduit extending into said vessel and communicating with said beam for forcing fluid simultaneously into said hollow beam and generally radially outwardly through said perforated beam and fabric wound thereon and into said vessel around said beam and fabric to penetrate said fabric, said fluid pumping system including a bypass system regulating the fluid flow through said inlet conduit and into said beam for controlling the fluid pressure within the beam having fabric wound thereon.
 2. A fabric treatment apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said by-pass system includes a conduit means for directing fluid flow, other than said fluid flow through said inlet conduit and said beam, into said vessel.
 3. A fabric treatment apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said by-pass system includes a valve for controlling the fluid flow into said vessel through said inlet conduit and said beam, and the fluid flow into said vessel through said by-pass conduit means.
 4. A fabric treatment apparatus as recited in claim 3, and further including means for heating a prescribed amount of the total fluid circulating through said fluid pumping system, and means for blending said heated fluid with said non-heated fluid prior to the fluids entering said vessel.
 5. A fabric treatment apparatus as recited in claim 3, said by-pass system including means for directing the fluid flow into said vessel through said by-pass conduit means in a generally circumferential path around said beam and said fabric wound thereon to present the entire roll of fabric to the fluid while maintaining a high kinetic energy of the fluid.
 6. A fabric treatment apparatus as recited in claim 3, and further including a first means for sensing the fluid pressure within said beam having fabric wound thereon and a secondmeans for sensing the fluid pressure within said vessel exteriorly of said beam and fabric roll.
 7. A fabric treatment apparatus as recited in claim 6, and further including control means responsive to said first and second sensing means for regulating said valve to maintain the difference in pressure substantially constant.
 8. A fabric treatment apparatus as recited in claim 1, said vessel comprising a first compartment for receiving said beam having fabric wound thereon, said first compartment being substantially filled with the fluid, and a second compartment for receiving fluid overflow from said first compartment when the fluid in said first compartment is heated and expands.
 9. A fabric treatment apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein a partition within said vessel adjacent the end of said vessel remote to said closure means divides said vessel into said first and said second compartments.
 10. A fabric treatment apparatus as recited in claim 8, and further including means for selectively circulating the fluid within said second, overflow compartment back into said fluid system and subsequently said vessel.
 11. A fabric treatment apparatus for fabric rolled on a hollow perforated beam comprising a vessel having a closed end and an open end, displaceable closure means for said open end for sealing said vessel and closure means in fluid tight relationship, means within said vessel defining first and second fluid tight compartments, means within said first compartment for supporting said fabric rolled beam therein, said first compartment normally being substantially filled with a fluid, a fluid pumping system including an inlet conduit extending into said vessel and communicating with said beam for forcing fluid simultaneously into said hollow beam and generally radially outwardly through said perforated beam and fabric wound thereon and into said vessel around said beam and fabric to penetrate said fabric, said fluid pumping system circulating fluid through said vessel first compartment, means for heating said circulating fluid, means interconnecting said first and said second compartments for directing heated, expanding fluid from said first compartment into said second compartment.
 12. A fabric treating apparatus as recited in claim 11, and further including means for selectively circulating fluid within said second compartment back into said fluid pumping system and subsequently said vessel first compartment. 